Practical Issues Flashcards
What is Time and Money?
Different methods require different time amounts and money
Description of Expensive Money
Large scale survey =
- Large staffing of data input + interviewers
- Expensive
Description of Cheap Money
Small scale survey =
- Lone researchers, participative observation
- Cheap
- Several years to complete
Description of Well known
Well known prof more access to more research funds than a young student
What are Funding Bodies?
Research institutes + Businesses may have strict requirements
Description of Funding Bodies?
Gov dpts target for pass rates
- May use Quantitative Data
What is the impact of Funding Bodies on sociologists?
Soc forced to use specific type of Data
- Questionnaire, structured Interviews
What are Personal Skills and Characteristics?
Personality type
Description of Personal Skills + Characteristics?
Participant Observation =
- Ability to mix in, local lingo, recall
Depth Interview =
- Ability to establish a rapport
What is the Subject Matter?
Subjects that are harder to study
Description of Subject Matter?
Difficulties =
- Male Sociologists vs Girl dominated class
- Writing questionnaires vs Non-English speakers
What is the Research Opportunity?
Unexpected circumstances that are ‘Out of the blue’
Description of the Research Opportunity?
Glasgow Gang Leader offered ‘out of the blue’ interview with James Patrick
What is the impact of Research Opportunity on sociologists?
Unexpected =
- No time to prepare
- Cope with participant observation
Expected =
- Time to prepare efficiently
